Travel advice for Brits flying from Gatwick airport to Turkey this summer

With amazing food, beaches and gorgeous markets to explore, Turkey is a popular travel destination for holidaymakers across Surrey. The large peninsula that is Turkey juts out between Europe and Asia, in fact the city of Istanbul almost straddles the two continents. The incredible nation is surrounded by three different seas, the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black sea.

Those looking to catch some sun, and relax can be in Turkey in under four hours, if they board a flight from Gatwick airport. However following the covid pandemic, and with Brexit being in full force, travelling can feel confusing. Each nation has its own set of travel rules and may require certain documentation from travellers to enter the country.

For travellers heading from Gatwick, it is important to follow a basic checklist, to make sure everything is in place for a smooth journey to Turkey. There are several flights a day from Gatwick to Turkey’s main cities and towns, including Istanbul, Antalya, Dalaman and Bodrum with carriers like British Airways, Wizz Air and EasyJet. Make sure to follow the SurreyLive guide to travelling to Turkey before you leave the house…

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Travel and passport rules:

• Most important of all, make sure all passports have at least six months’ validity, especially if it is a burgundy passport.

• European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are still valid for those travelling to the European Union, but will be replaced by a Global Health Insurance Card, if the EHIC is expired. Those who don’t have an insurance card should purchase travel insurance, this can be done by Compare The Market, Post Office and Money Super Market.

• Free mobile roaming for Brits abroad has ended. Travellers must check with their providers before using phones abroad, to avoid hidden fees, which can be extortionate.

• People travelling to Turkey for up to 90 days will not need a visa.

Covid and health rules:

• The Turkish Government website states all travellers should be up to date with vaccinations as per the UK rules, which means no additional vaccinations are needed before travelling to Turkey.

• However, most travellers might want a booster of Hepatitis A and Tetanus.

• No certificates of vaccinations are needed to enter Turkey from the UK.

• There are currently no travel requirements in place regarding Covid-19 for Brits entering Turkey

Safety and other useful information: